What is an apprenticeship?

What is an apprenticeship?

For anybody looking to break into their industry of choice, it can be daunting trying to figure out exactly where to start. This is true whether you’ve just left high school or simply want a change of career later in life. Finding the right opportunities, pursuing the relevant training and getting in touch with mentors and potential employers all seem like big obstacles, but they don’t have to be!

Download brochure

This is where trade-specific apprenticeships can provide incredible value, giving you the chance to learn and earn at the same time, all while working towards a nationally recognised qualification that will set you up for whichever sort of career you want in your specific trade or industry, anywhere in Australia. So, whether you’re an aspiring electrician, plumber or builder, it’s well worth giving an apprenticeship some serious thought. To start off with, you’ll need to know exactly what the process entails, and what you’ll get out of it.

At the most basic level, an apprenticeship is a training relationship between an employer and an employee. While this relationship will allow apprentices to learn all of the skills that they’ll need for a long and successful career in the industry, they’ll still be treated as a regular employee in many ways – including, and most importantly, getting paid for their work. This is primarily what separates apprenticeships (and traineeships) from other forms of study.

In addition to what apprentices learn on the job, the process encompasses more formal learning in classrooms, with the help of a Registered Training Organisation (RTO) or Group Training Organisation (GTO), depending on the structure of your apprenticeship. NECA Education and Careers is one of the leading GTOs in Victoria and Tasmania, as well as an RTO based in Melbourne.

Apprenticeships are the main avenue for Australians to learn the skills needed to work in a particular trade. In many of these trades, there is a demand for talented and hardworking employees. For example, the electrical industry always needs more experienced workers, meaning that apprentices who complete the program are well-placed to secure a well-paying and fulfilling job with plenty of opportunities to progress.

Of course, it’s not just school leavers who can benefit from completing an apprenticeship. An important aspect of apprenticeships to keep in mind is how flexible they can be. There are opportunities for everyone, so whether you’re still at school, a recent graduate, looking for a change of career, or employed in the industry already but without the right training, an apprenticeship can provide a pathway to success.

Some employers hire apprentices directly, but this type of relationship can come with a few problems for both sides. For employers, there are all sorts of management issues to consider, while apprentices may not get the support that they need to learn outside of the job site. Fortunately, there’s a simple solution that works for everybody.

As a Group Training Organisation, NECA Education and Careers directly employs apprentices and trainees, and then ‘leases’ them to a contractor in their specific field. This means that we take care of the nuts and bolts of the process, including wages, training management and support. The ability to lease an apprentice has been a complete game changer for the industry, making the process simpler, easier and more beneficial to everybody involved.